A Religion Beyond Faith

Priyanka Rout

A Religion Beyond Faith

Their religion was way beyond the normal acceptance of society. With an amalgamation of astronomical and religious beliefs, their religion was one of a kind. Let’s explore the various facets of their culture and traditions and find out the secret to one of their most famous recipe, Mahua.

The vibrant Gond community; Image Source: Siyasat Daily

The Gond tribe, one of India's oldest, has a rich history. From the king of the jungle to ordinary beings trying to fight for their rights, the Gond community has come a long way. The Khana Tiger Reserves and the tales of the Gond community inspired Rudyard Kipling to create his renowned novel, The Jungle Book. The famous Gond queen, Rani Durgawati, was more than capable of ruling on behalf of her five-year-old son, Bir Narain, after her husband's death.

People like Komaram Bheem, Aman Das, and others have proved that the Gond community is famous for its vibrant culture mystic folktales and the bravery and courage that make them one of the unique tribes of India.

Now that we have learned about some of their unique religious practices, stay tuned to know about one of their famous creations, called the Gond paintings.

As we learned in the previous story, Mahua is one of the most famous beverages in the Gond community. This, too, has a story behind it. A long time ago, a Gond commander was out on a walk in the countryside. He searched for something magnificent to entertain his invitees and make him an excellent host. After a long day of walking, he discovered a relaxing spot to settle under a Mahua tree. As he approached the tree, he noticed a hole full of water and mahua blossoms. With each brush of the wind, more flowers collected in that hole. Birds sat on its edge, chattering and flapping their wings with joy.

The leader sat alongside the spot, drinking the water. He quickly became enthralled and whirled around the tree, just like one of those birds. He felt even more connected to the the worldly pleasures after discovering Mahua at the end of his quest.

Gonds celebrate most festival events with singing and dancing—dances, such as those performed by the Dandari, recount stories from Gond mythology in some instances. Dances are also conducted for entertainment purposes. Dhulia is a professional musician caste, and Pardhans (bards) pass on tales, myths, and history from generation to generation. On full-moon nights, Gonds like to gather and sing and dance. Cockfighting is a popular activity.

Pottery, basket weaving, body tattooing, and floor painting are among the many skills practiced by Gonds. They utilize red and black paint to create patterns on the walls of their homes. These artworks frequently represent animals, birds, human characters, hunting, and dancing to commemorate festivals. The Gonds create musical instruments. For their deceased, they make memorial pillars out of wood and stone. Carved doors and panels are frequently used to embellish dwellings.

The ancient Gonds were well-versed in astronomical concepts. The Sun, Moon, Milky Way, stars, and planets were all known by different names among the Gonds. Most of these concepts serve as the foundation for their timekeeping and calendaring activities. Almost 30 lakh Gonds speak the Gondi language, primarily in the southern part of their range.

Women in Chhattisgarh perform the sua dance, named after the Hindi word for "parrot." After Diwali, it is conducted to honor Shiva and Parvati, believing that the parrot will bring their lovers' sadness.

The Gondi people have their very own Ramayana, which is similar to the Gond Ramayani, and is based on oral folk legends. It comprises seven stories, each with Lakshmana as the main character, set just after the premier events of the Ramayana, in which he finds a bride.

Many Gond folks still practice nature worship, but their religion, like that of other tribal groups in India, has been heavily influenced by Hinduism. Most Gondi people follow Hinduism and their indigenous religious doctrine, Koyapun.